Over three months, the traffic police in Kathmandu Valley took action against 343 vehicles that were causing a lot of pollution. They did this by testing emissions at busy intersections, checking a sample of vehicles. Out of 150 tested, 100 failed the test and were sent to the Department of Environment for punishment, which could include fines up to Rs 100,000. They're asking everyone to get their vehicles checked and fixed before hitting the road to keep pollution levels down. This is all part of a law from 2019 that lets them penalize polluters. With winter making pollution worse, especially from vehicles, they're cracking down hard to protect public health and the environment, sticking to strict emission standards.
Original article written by : HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
Traffic police in Kathmandu Valley have taken swift action against 343 highly polluting vehicles over the span of three months. These efforts included conducting emission tests at the busiest intersections through random sampling, encompassing both private and public vehicles. Out of the 150 vehicles inspected, a significant 100 failed to meet emission standards, prompting referral to the Department of Environment for further legal action.
The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office underscored that vehicles failing emission tests would face consequences, aligning with recent warnings from the Department of Environment. Beginning December 16, 2022, individuals whose vehicles fail to pass emission tests during surprise checks could face fines up to Rs 100,000, as emphasized by KVTPO Spokesperson SSP Rajendra Prasad Bhatta. This heightened scrutiny underscores the urgent need for compliance with emission standards.
The Department of Environment has urged all vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles meet emission clearance requirements before hitting the road. Under the Environment Protection Act, 2019, the director general of the DoE is empowered to impose fines up to Rs 100,000 on polluters based on the severity of the violation. With air pollution exacerbated during winter months due to increased open burning and vehicle emissions, maintaining emissions within permissible limits is crucial to combating environmental degradation and safeguarding public health.